Bonnie Maxine (Lewis) Mehlin, 93, formerly of Stella, Nebraska was born on April 15, 1932, in Falls City, Nebraska to Guy and Ethel (Howard) Lewis. She was child number 5 of 9 brothers/sisters, and her childhood home was in what is now Indian Cave State Park. Bonnie attended high school at Bratton Union Consolidated School where she graduated with the class of 1950. While at Bratton Union Bonnie met her lifelong love, Jerry Mehlin. The couple were united in marriage on December 23, 1951, in Coryell Park near Auburn, Nebraska and continued for 64 years until Jerry’s death in 2016. Their union brought four children, Keith, Mike, Kerry, and Lisa.
Bonnie took up a career and a lifetime of being a teacher, receiving her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Peru State College. She made an impact on her students and community in a one room schoolhouse near Humboldt, and later at Southeast Consolidated in Stella. Her teaching had an impact on several generations of students who remember her fondly.
Bonnie was a creator at heart, with a passion for sewing. She made clothes, quilts, and could repair any clothing. She was still mending clothes after moving to the nursing home, at the request of residents and staff. She was also a collector, collecting Hummels, Beanie Babies, cloth for sewing, and many other things. More importantly, Bonnie collected memories, always giving to the people around her and the people important to her.
The definition of the word matriarch, Bonnie’s legacy is present in her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She passed away on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont, Nebraska having reached the earthly age of 93 years, 9 months, and 28 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry, brothers: Paul, Donald, Harlan, Gary, and Tom Lewis, and sisters Rose Marie Rears, Betty Whitfield, and Martha Lewis.
Bonnie is survived by her children: Keith Mehlin and wife Cathy of Logan, IA; Jerry “Mike” Mehlin of Omaha, NE; Kerry Mehlin and wife Michele of Grand Island, NE; Lisa Mehlin of Omaha, NE; also surviving are seven grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and a lifetime of students, friends, and extended family.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Stella Community Church in Stella, Nebraska with Pastor John States officiating. A livestream broadcast of Bonnie’s service can be viewed on the Stella Community Church Facebook page for those not able to attend.
Visitation will be held from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Wherry Mortuary, 207 N. Nemaha Street in Humboldt, Nebraska. Family will greet friends from 6-8 p.m. at the mortuary.
Interment will follow services at the Pleasant View Cemetery in rural Humboldt, Nebraska.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Stella Arboretum, 408 N. Elm Street, P.O. Box 74, Stella, Nebraska 68442.
Condolences can be shared online at www.wherrymortuary.com
Services entrusted to Wherry Mortuary-207 N. Nemaha St-Humboldt, NE 68376 (402) 862-2915
